Space expert answers forum audience questions

A number of questions were submitted at the recent Florida Forward panel on the future of the U.S. space program. Some did not get asked of the panel because of time constraints. Here are answers to some of them, provided by Dale Ketcham, director of the Spaceport Research and Technology Institute at theUniversity of Central Florida.

Question: Why launch gap? – Why are we now and for the next 2-3 years without a way to get our crews there (ISS) and back? Why? Political? Technology? National will?

Answer: It was the intent of the Federal Government as far back as 2004 to rely on the Russians for access to the ISS for a few years. The funding saved by retiring the Shuttle was what would be necessary to develop the new system. Unfortunately, the new system didn't work and now we have to find another way. As of right now the private sector is best positioned to provide US astronauts a seat to the ISS on a US vehicle soonest so we can stop reliance on the Russians as soon as possible. Additionally, this frees up resources for NASA to focus on getting beyond low earth orbit.

A: This is critical because there was never a plan to put all of the Shuttle workforce to work on follow on space related systems. It was understood, and stated publicly, that other technologies such as energy, IT, Modeling & Simulation, Life Sciences, etc. would be needed to provide a comprehensive economic base for full employment in East Central Florida.

Q: Astronaut selection – If space travel is privatized, what will happen to astronaut selection? Privatized as well?

A: If we do this right, most of the people in Space in 5-10-20 years will not be government employees but corporate employees, private explorers and prospectors, as well as tourists and professors. The business of exploration will still be the likely purview of government and the first footprints back on the Moon, or Mars, or asteroids, etc. will be NASA astronauts.

A: For exploration, probably, for exploitation, definitely. However, both require sustainable (inexpensive) systems to get there and back regularly. If we develop that capability everything else will fall into place.

Q: Moon winning – Building a sustainable model – what is America's conversation and plan to begin mining energy on the moon?

A: When the technology on earth is sufficiently evolved to demand the resources available on the Moon, and we have a cost effective way to get there and back, then just stand out of the way and let the marketplace work. Obviously, safety and lunar environmental concerns will continue to be major issues, but let's hope we quickly get to a place where that conversation is required.

Q: Labor policy – Are we going to ensure that the "Davis-Bacon" Act and all other federal laws are applied and enforced when federal taxpayer dollars are utilized for space center projects? (Don Hunt, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers #756)

A: If that issue has not been addressed in the courts then we do need to have the courts provide that clarity. It is, if I'm not mistaken, the Constitutional responsibility of the courts to provide clarity in what the law says and doesn't say (or whether it can say something at all).

Q: NASA in Houston – What is the status of NASA in Houston?

A: Given the strength of the Texas delegation in Congress, I don't believe JSC is going anywhere. Like KSC and elsewhere in the agency, the fundamental roles and responsibilities of the various centers may adjust to provide the best efficiency to the taxpayer while still engaging in space exploration.

A: The best profit to NASA is their technology getting into the marketplace and creating new industries and jobs and thus generating the new taxes necessary to fund further exploration.

Q: Inspiring students – For Senator Nelson – Engineering students today are inspired by NASA's past triumphs but disheartened by budget debates and constant direction changes. How do you address their long-term prospects of meaningful work?

A: The part of the purpose of expending tax dollars on NASA is to inspire US students to study math & science, as well as to engender the creation of innovations that will spur new industries and a stronger competitive posture for the US in the global marketplace. If we don't do that we will never pay off the $15 trillion in debt this country must pay off in the coming decades.